By LaTina Emerson
SEATTLE—Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a 
progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks the 
nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, affects military 
veterans at a higher rate than the general population.
A new study published in Muscle & Nerve aimed 
to assess symptom burden and satisfaction with ALS 
care among individuals who are enrolled in the VA, 
and the researchers found that self-reported outcomes, 
including treatment, education and satisfaction, were 
better for veterans receiving care exclusively within 
the VA compared to those receiving care at both VA 
and non-VA facilities or receiving care exclusively at 
non-VA facilities.1 
ALS, which results in loss of mobility, speech, 
swallowing and breathing, has been identified as a 
significant health concern for veterans based on a 2006 
VA commissioned review called “Amyotrophic Lateral 
Sclerosis in Veterans: Review of the Scientific Literature” 
that concluded that veterans have a higher risk of 
ALS than the general population, Ileana Howard, MD, 
associate director of neurology for ALS at VHA, told 
U.S. Medicine.
U.S. veterans are about 1.5 times more likely to 
get ALS compared to individuals who never served in 
the military. Starting in 2008, U.S. veterans who were 
diagnosed with ALS were extended comprehensive 
medical and disability benefits through the VA. All 
veterans with ALS who served at least 90 days of active 
duty and were honorably discharged are eligible for 100% 
presumptive service connection. 
Why veterans are more likely be diagnosed with 
ALS remains a mystery, although known factors are 
that the disease primarily affects individuals between 60 
and 80 years old, with higher frequency in men. It also 
appears to be more predominant in smokers; veterans 
are as much as 1.5 times more likely to smoke than 
nonveterans, according to past studies. Other theories 
include environmental exposure to toxins, pesticides, 
heavy metals and chemicals—such as those from burn 
pits in the Gulf War—is a primary suspected factor.
Other possible causes that have been studied include 
repeated head, neck or spine injuries, including traumatic 
Veterans With ALS Report  
High Satisfaction With VA Care 
Compared to Outside Care 
Military Service Linked With Higher Rates of 
Neurodegenerative Disease
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also 
known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a 
progressive neurodegenerative disease 
that has devastating symptoms.  It is 1. 5 
times more common in military veterans 
than those who never served.  A recent 
survey found that veterans with the 
disease gave high marks to VA’s highly 
comprehensive and coordinated system 
to manage their care.  
	
	
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